My wife is doing a PhD and dealing with a long running legal battle with her ex. Her past has been extremely traumatic with both loss of a parent at 12, experience of war in her home country at that time and extremely violent spousal abuse. She's a rock, but at times of stress early in the legal process we are embroiled within a psychologist with whom she had a few meetings determined she has PTSD and referred her on, she didn't go of course because she's OK and can deal with it. She is extremely stressed, shakes when confronted with situations that involve her ex, is struggling to focus in anyway, or focuses entirely on tasks that are never finished because she won't let go but then beats herself up when the things she knows she has to do slip past and the weeks and months they are overdue just built on her stress. She's an amazing beautiful and intelligent woman but I am seeing her shrink into herself and her self confidence is draining away. I really want to refer her onto an experienced, understanding support person who can understand her situation. She has been forced to relive her past so many times as a cruel knife twist in this court battle and claims she cannot repeat her life again to anyone as it destroys her for weeks afterwards. So we need help, and I hope someone knows of a psychiatrist that can bring some closure this her past and help her develop skills to grow again. We don't have money, so if the solution is a $500 per hour doctor then I'm sorry but the court battle we've had has ruined us already. Again, if there's someone that fits the bill please let me know
Wife is asking for help, need to know where to turn to (Abuse, PTSD, Anxiety)
Wife is asking for help, need to know where to turn to (Abuse, PTSD, Anxiety)
Posted in:
Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression
4 Replies
Either return to the psychologist you were seeing to get another referral or your wife can go to her GP for a referral to a psychiatrist.
Your GP will know psychiatrists in your area and will also know who is bulk billing and who specialised in PTSD.
It's important that your wife is compliant with therapy. If a medication is suggested and techniques are suggested she needs to try them and report back to her doctor.
My son has done very well with seeing a psychiatrist but the doctor said my son is highly compliant, follows instructions and does his homework.
Yes get a mental health plan for free or cheap psychologist. Also find your local womans health centre and send her there. They have free counsellors and all sorts of activities like yoga and there are a bunch of women who just talk, no pressure on her to tell her life, just have nice, caring conversation in a safe place.
Does she still have the referral that she didn't go to? Is it still in date? Was it for public or private?
I looked into this recently for my son. Public has a long waiting list but is free or cheap. Private you pay for but if you're eligible there is a Medicare Rebate. Also, if you pay for a few private sessions and can't afford more some practitioners will waive or lower the fee just to make sure she's getting the help she needs.
If you guys haven't yet, jump onto FB and search for support pages based on your wife's particular needs of losing her parents so young and surviving war conditions. Having the empathy of people who 100% understand what she feels and can understand what she has overcome to be the person she is today would be a massive help. They may also have advice on great therapists for those particular needs in your area.
Finally, from me, good on her for having the balls to stand up to that piece of shit ex and for you for supporting her as best you can while she goes through it. When she feels like she can't do it anymore I hope she remembers just how strong she is, how the strength that got her through everything else can get her through this too and keeps at it.
If you're in Sydney/nsw you could get in touch with STARTTS (service for the treatment of torture and trauma). They usually help refugees, assylum seekers etc but you could explain the situation and ask them for help. It's worth a try. They speicialise in treating trauma/ptsd, are staffed with suitably qualified health professionals and they're run by nsw health so it's a free service. Good luck.